Mental Health In Thailand

[wilson steer]

Is there any system in Thailand for getting someone sectioned if they are a danger to other people due to their mental health?

My girfriend's brother is I suspect suffering from paranoid schizophrenia, sleeps with a hatchet (the long ones they cut sugar cane with) and has threatened to kill family and friends.

He has a long history of mental illness and has been hospitalised twice and drugged and treated etc.

Just recently, it seems he has deteriorated, and now the 'family' is seriously considering paying 800 baht a day for his 'treatment'. Of course my girlfriend will end up paying all the hospital fees out of her savings/and/or allowance.

O.K. that is her business, but is there any alternative? Surely there must be an option for the less well off 'up north'.

In my opinion and probably most medical doctors, he is an extremely dangerous man left loose in society.

Any feedback welcomed.

Wilson Steer.

[John K]

Is there any system in Thailand for getting someone sectioned if they are a danger to other people due to their mental health?

My girfriend's brother is I suspect suffering from paranoid schizophrenia, sleeps with a hatchet (the long ones they cut sugar cane with) and has threatened to kill family and friends.

He has a long history of mental illness and has been hospitalised twice and drugged and treated etc.

Just recently, it seems he has deteriorated, and now the 'family' is seriously considering paying 800 baht a day for his 'treatment'. Of course my girlfriend will end up paying all the hospital fees out of her savings/and/or allowance.

O.K. that is her business, but is there any alternative? Surely there must be an option for the less well off 'up north'.

In my opinion and probably most medical doctors, he is an extremely dangerous man left loose in society.

Any feedback welcomed.

Wilson Steer.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That’s a tough call. If they are that concerned about him then for the short term I would involve the police at some level. That should expose him to the courts and perhaps find better and less expensive treatment options. However the down side is it could feed the condition.

John Krukowski, C.H.

[Orion76]

Is there any system in Thailand for getting someone sectioned if they are a danger to other people due to their mental health?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm affraid that any institution in Thailand like that ran on government money would be such a ###### hole that it's completely out of the question to send a relative there.

[John K]

Is there any system in Thailand for getting someone sectioned if they are a danger to other people due to their mental health?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm affraid that any institution in Thailand like that ran on government money would be such a ###### hole that it's completely out of the question to send a relative there.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

There is no easy answer for that, however if he is a danger to himself and others, it beats being in a box in the ground. I have done very little work with people of that type, and it always has been a team effort with another professional in the mental health field. I don’t know that much about the mental health facilities in the north, but I am working with a Psychiatrist here in Bangkok with some clients for depression. He seems to know what he is doing, so I would not sell them short until you have had a look. I would check with the local court system and see what they would do. Then check out the facility that they would use. You may be delightfully surprised.

John krukowski, C.H.

[wilson steer]

I am happy to say he is 'better' for now, taking strong drugs and just sleeping and eating. The nearest psychiatric hospital is Koen khaen and; if you can count to ten they let you go. It's all about money vs. Mental health.

But, mental health is a big problem in Thailand; so many people will go without treatment, either for depression, anxiety, paranoia, OCD's etc. the list is endless, but when it comes down to a man/woman who is likely to kill or wound someone else; I am surprised that there is not a 'section' law.

I feel that heavily sedating drugs/injections are not a long term solution to dangerously schizophrenic cases.

W.S.

[Trevor]

Put him on a raw food diet with plenty of raw fats. His brain is starving for nutrients.

[Nam Kao]

Put him in the Police Academy, he'll go right to the top

[John K]

I am happy to say he is 'better' for now, taking strong drugs and just sleeping and eating. The nearest psychiatric hospital is Koen khaen and; if you can count to ten they let you go. It's all about money vs. Mental health.

But, mental health is a big problem in Thailand; so many people will go without treatment, either for depression, anxiety, paranoia, OCD's etc. the list is endless, but when it comes down to a man/woman who is likely to kill or wound someone else; I am surprised that there is not a 'section' law.

I feel that heavily sedating drugs/injections are not a long term solution to dangerously schizophrenic cases.

W.S.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I agree with you about the drugs. In the USA for every 5 people taking mind altering medications only 1 really needs it. He may be the 1. A good thing to do now is have him remember how much better he feels now. Then if a future relapse happens, you can invoke the memories. Ask him what is different now. Never tell him he is wrong, just ask questions to cause him to sort things out logically. At the very least it will make it easier to get him to get more help. This method forces him to argue with himself and not the person asking questions. As for mental health ask some of the locals here in Bangkok what they think and who they would suggest in that area.

John Krukowski, C.H.